Written question asked by Tim Collins (Conservative) on Wednesday, 19 June 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 3 July 2002. It was answered by Tony Blair (Labour) on Wednesday, 3 July 2002 on behalf of the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister

Question: To ask the Prime Minister, what expenditure was incurred by (a) the No 10 Press Office, (b) the Strategic Communications Unit and (c) the Research and Information Unit (i) in the latest available year and (ii) in 1997. - Inc figures and ref to 10 April 2002, 383 c11W and 23 October 2001, 373 c142W.

Answer: Mr. Collins: To ask the Prime Minister what expenditure was incurred by (a) the No 10 Press Office, (b) the Strategic Communications Unit and (c) the Research and Information Unit (i) in the latest available year and (ii) in 1997. [63583] The Prime Minister: For the No. 10 Press Office, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for West Chelmsford (Mr. Burns) on 10 April 2002, Official Report, column 11W. For the Strategic Communications Unit (SCU), I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Lewes (Norman Baker) on 23 October 2001, Official Report, column 142W. SCU did not exist in 1996-97. The total cost of running the Research and Information Unit (R&I) for the financial year 2000-01 was £432,556. Research and Information provides a single information resource at No. 10, providing policy briefing, library resources and reference material for the Prime Minister and No. 10 staff. R&I did not exist in 1996-97.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 388 c329-30W; 63583
Session: 2001-02
Subjects: Expenditure Prime Minister Press Public expenditure 10 Downing Street Strategic Communications Unit
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk